SIU Investigating Custody Death in Orangeville

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 11, 2010) - Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is probing the circumstances surrounding the custody death of a man early this morning in Orangeville.

The Orangeville Police Service (OPS) contacted the SIU at 8:12 a.m. today and reported the following:

On Wednesday November 10, 2010, the OPS arrested a 25-year-old Orangeville man for a provincial offence.

The man was taken to the OPS station and lodged in a cell.

At 7:43 a.m., the man was found to be in medical distress.

Emergency Medical Services responded to the OPS station.

The man was pronounced dead at 8:20 a.m.

Three investigators and two forensic investigators from the SIU are currently assigned to this investigation.

Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to contact the Unit at 416-622-0748 or 1-800-787-8529.

The SIU is an arm's length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. Under the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU must

consider whether an officer has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation

depending on the evidence, lay a criminal charge against the officer if appropriate or close the file without any charges being laid